“Wala na akong magagawa, on record na yun [There was nothing I could do. That’s on record]. E magkakagulo lang pag nag-manifest pa ako [There will only be confusion if I issue a manifestation],” he said.

“Nag-resign na e [He has resigned]. Wala nang pagtatalunan [We have no more arguments on that]. Ba’t pagbobotohan wala nang kalaban [Why do we have to vote on it when there’s no one else]?” he said.

With Villar’s resignation, Lapid thought that Enrile would “automatically” assume the Senate presidency.